So this is what overweight looks like?

[OrangeLavenders]

I'm quite surprised. Checked the scales a few weeks back and I weighed 12 stone. Visited my GP for something else recently who confirmed that yes, I was quite bit over BMI of healthy range.

I've lost 7 pounds in just over 10 days. Nothing ridiculous. Just normal eating with no snacks and counting calories.

I just thought overweight looked a lot bigger than this? Scary how in 2020 we actually have a warped idea of what's a healthy weight and what isn't. I thought I looked perfectly fine but the reith is different.

Anyone else think a lot of us think what we might see as 'fine' is actually an overweight person?

I'm not a self conscious person so feel free to tell me I do in fact look clearly overweight! It doesn't bother me as I'm happily changing things. Although I'm sour about not having many luxuries anymore treat wise

[Yankathebear]

You’ve got a gorgeous figure. Nice curves but in the right places.

[NotGenerationAlpha]

You look amazing. You are completely right because more than half of UK adults are overweight, we are now seeing overweight as normal. It's a health issue and it's good you caught it at a stage which is easier for you to get back to a healthy weight.

It's totally possible to be overweight and gorgeous and you are proof of it. I think a lot of people need to separate the two when they get defensive about being told they are overweight.

[Sallyspoons]

@CodenameVillanelle, my GP did say that because I waist:height ratio is ok so she wasn’t worried (I carry my weight in my lower half) still obese though and I’m working on becoming overweight. I’ve had twins so my stomach is about as good as it’s gonna get

[Colourmylife1]

I’m the same height as you and at that weight would be quite overweight and look it too. I think you have a lovely shape.

[CodenameVillanelle]

[quote Sallyspoons]@CodenameVillanelle, my GP did say that because I waist:height ratio is ok so she wasn’t worried (I carry my weight in my lower half) still obese though and I’m working on becoming overweight. I’ve had twins so my stomach is about as good as it’s gonna get[/quote]
Yeah, I think when we are overweight GPs tend to look at current weight and risks of that rather than saying 'you've been gaining weight for several years, you run the risk of becoming obese'. I think they should be having the conversation about how weight gain increases over time and nipping it in the bud if possible.

Though tbh I used to weigh 13 stone when I was on the pill. The GP used to tell me I was at the upper end of safe use. When I gained weight I went off the pill rather than go back to the GP so getting people to listen is easier said than done

[Shedtheload]

Health reasons include 13 different types of cancer and other disorders such as MS

Not if you’re just overweight rather than obese. Also, being slightly overweight can help protect against osteoporosis and can help recovery from other illnesses.
Visceral fat is the dangerous one and someone with a BMI of 27 can have less visceral fat than someone with a BMI of 23. Having a beer belly is dangerous whereas having chunky thighs isn’t. That’s why waist measurements provide more accuracy as to health than BMI alone.

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

Being overweight isn't about whether you have an attractive figure, it's about how much you weigh, and what fat you are carrying, whether external or internally around your organs.
So yes, if your weight and height is correct, then you are overweight.

[Graciebobcat]

it's about how much you weigh, and what fat you are carrying, whether external or internally around your organs

Exactly, but the OP isn't carrying a lot of fat around her middle, so BMI is only a guide on its own.

Not if you’re just overweight rather than obese. Also, being slightly overweight can help protect against osteoporosis and can help recovery from other illnesses

Exactly, all the studies seem to be around obese - 29+ BMI (which I have strayed into but am not now) and the risks seem to be far less in the 25 to 29 BMI range. Though perhaps slightly more than BMI 24, but there are so many other factors - what you are eating and drinking, exercise, stress etc.

[Graciebobcat]

All I know is that while I am still overweight, when I had my over 40s health check, the health professional doing the check up was delighted with my results, as was my GP.

• My weight was 5kg less than 5 years ago (pretty good going in mid-40s)
• My cholesterol was "perfect"
• Low resting heart rate
• Low/normal blood pressure

So I was assessed as having a minuscule risk of any significant health problems in the next ten years.

[missingmum]

As others have said your shape is great, slim waist and nice legs but I'd say Yes to you being overweight.
I'm also 5ft 3 and at 12at I'm a 12/14 look slim as I've very slim legs but still overweight.

I think dripping another 14-16lb would be ideal. You'd go from looking good to fab.

[missingmum]

Sorry for typos was painting nails 🤣

[Prokupatuscrakedatus]

How do you look when you sit down?
And from the side?

That was a revelation for me.

[Ihaventgottimeforthis]

Graciebobcat to me it looks like the OP is carrying quite a lot of fat around her middle, I guess we all interpret photos differently.

I have a fat waist, that's what concerns me particularly about being overweight. Although I'm a stone lighter than the OP and only prob about an inch shorter, my waist is much fatter. And I don't have much boobs.

[CarterBeatsTheDevil]

What are the "health reasons" though if you are in the overweight zone for BMI, but currently fit and healthy, waist measurement below the risk for diabetes, cholesterol and blood sugar not an issue, low blood pressure and resting heart rate

I said you can need to, not will need to. If I get to 15 stone (obese for me on the BMI scale) and have normal bloods, knees that don't hurt, a healthy body fat percentage and am feeling generally good there, you can bet I'll be staying there because there's no reason not to. But if I were at that weight and had uncontrollable blood sugar I might see it differently.

[alittleprivacy]

What are the "health reasons" though if you are in the overweight zone for BMI, but currently fit and healthy, waist measurement below the risk for diabetes, cholesterol and blood sugar not an issue, low blood pressure and resting heart rate.

Your general ability throughout life. Life is just easier when you aren't carrying extra weight everywhere. And certainly in terms of your joints, most especially your knees. When my BMI is 23 or higher I find it really easy to do something that will cause knee pain. The heavier I am, the more likely I am to feel knee pain. I'm in my 40s, so I just figured it was age related and that these were pains I'd be living with as the worsened over time.

Then my hobby brought me to peak fitness, with my BMI a muscular 21.5, I don't get joint pain. It doesn't really matter what I do, how I contort myself, how rotated a jump I land on one leg. Whatever endurance I demand from my body. I don't get knee pain, I don't get back pain. I may get muscle soreness but that's a good kind of pain and a sign of increasing strength rather than the diminishing ability of my body. My flexibility is enhanced. I know that overweight people can be incredibly flexible but it's still easier to do many things when excess body isn't physically getting in the way.

Life is just easier, way, way easier when your body is fitter. And the whole thing of people with a BMI of 25-30 being less likely to have osteoporosis is almost certainly very much a case of correlation not equalling causation. Fitter people who have proportionally higher muscle mass and constantly participate in weight bearing exercises have the lowest levels of osteoporosis. My osteoporosis risk would not be decreased if I returned to being overweight.

[Coconut2010]

Sorry OP but you look overweight to me and I really don’t understand posters using superlative words like “fab”, “amazing” etc Not sure if this is an exaggeration or just the sad reflexion that being big has now become the norm.
However, I genuinely admire you for being so confident and not self conscious (I wish I was the same!) and for your recent weight loss. You’re on the right track, keep going!

[morefun]

Your shape is beautiful, very hourglass. I am actually surprised that you weigh(ed) 12 st. I think, knowing you are 5'3", if you had asked me to guess your weight I would've said about 9.5st.

When my second child was about 3 months old I weighed about 10.5 stones at 5'5" and looked bigger than you. I have a picture actually but don't feel I want to share it

[Bwlch]

Sorry OP but you look overweight to me and I really don’t understand posters using superlative words like “fab”, “amazing” etc Not sure if this is an exaggeration or just the sad reflexion that being big has now become the norm.

I suspect that a most, if not all, people posting superlatives are rather more obviously overweight than the OP looks..

[Candyfloss99]

I think you do look overweight. Not massively of course but I can see extra fat on your body that you could do without 😊

[Graciebobcat]

Your general ability throughout life. Life is just easier when you aren't carrying extra weight everywhere. And certainly in terms of your joints, most especially your knees. When my BMI is 23 or higher I find it really easy to do something that will cause knee pain. The heavier I am, the more likely I am to feel knee pain. I'm in my 40s, so I just figured it was age related and that these were pains I'd be living with as the worsened over time

I don't have any joint or other bodily aches and pains though at 44 and do yoga several times a week so am extremely flexible and strong - more so than in my 20s when I was BMI 20. Also when I was very slim I used to get dizzy spells because my blood pressure was 90/45. At BMI 28 at 44 it's 110/65 - perfect, and no dizziness. My running times would certainly improve if I lost weight and I am definitely trying to in the long term (very long term, I haven't been normal BMI for ten years). But I'm not going to beat myself up about it when I am already doing so much and am so fit and healthy at this weight.

[OrangeLavenders]

Well I'm really very disappointed this morning Weighed myself again. I'm now 12 stone 2 and a half!

Since starting this thread and before it, I've been working out 4 times a week, stretching every day, eating far less than I can ever remember (calorie counting AND no snacking or sneeky extras)! I've been doing spin class, pilates.

And I'm bigger than what I was when I started. Wtf?! My appetite is often non existent because in the evenings I'm out having fun, swimming, at a class.

I just don't understand it it's souls destroying

[OrangeLavenders]

Bought myself some new scales in case the old ones weren't working properly but they both say the same thing.

[Tanfastic]

Op you look similar to me. I'm 12 stone and 5.5 and over a stone overweight according to my bmi. I'm a very similar shape to you.

I struggle to lose weight with just dieting and do a very sedentary job. It's difficult but with so little to lose really should be achievable if only I didn't like wine and McDonald's

[Loseastonein21years]

OP is it the week before your period because I find myself gaining up to half a stone in water during that time every month and also feel bigger and more bloated.

[OrangeLavenders]

Unfortunately not Lose

I'm actually ovulating this week